Today in rock history: on this date in 1970, Detroit-based rock and roll band MC5 released its second album, Back In The USA. The Motor City 5 got noticed with its notorious debut album, 1969's Kick Out The Jams — a live recording that became known for the inclusion of profane language which caused a furor. For its sophomore record, the politically-motivated band which had no interest in buying into the flower power of the 1960s, delivered a back-to-basics, short, direct, pure rock and roll record. Opening with a revved up version of Little Richard's classic "Tutti Frutti" and closing with a spirited take on the Chuck Berry song that served as the record's title track, the rest of the album consists of the band's own compositions that continue in the vein of straightforward, no nonsense rock and roll. Often cited as an integral influence on what would later be considered punk rock, Back In The USA is a highly influential and important release from this well-respected band of rock pioneers.
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Today in rock history; The Rolling Stones' "Not Fade Away"
Today in rock history: on this date in 1967, The Rolling Stones appeared as musical guests on the popular weekly variety show, The Ed Sullivan Show. The band performed its hit single, "Let's Spend The Night Together," but was told by representatives from the program that its wouldn't be allowed to perform the song as originally written. Instead, the show insisted on the band singing the line "Let's Spend Some Time Together" for fear that viewers would be offended by the song's suggestive title. The band agreed but, throughout the performance, lead singer Mick Jagger rolled his eyes during the song's chorus in disgust for having to clean up the song's lyrics. Sullivan was not amused with Jagger's antics and vowed to never have the Stones on the program again (although the band would make a return appearance two years later).
Today in rock history: on this date in 1985, former Creedence Clearwater Revival singer and chief songwriter John Fogerty released his third solo album, Centerfield. After a long time away from the music business and a lengthy break from recording, Fogerty returned with what wound up becoming his most successful album of his solo career. The album featured the very CCR-like rocker "The Old Man Down The Road" and the title track that is played at baseball stadiums all around the country on the way to becoming a baseball anthem. Fogerty played all the instruments on the album himself thanks to the overdubbing process that allowed him to record all instrumental parts separately. The album rose all the way to No. 1 on Billboard's pop albums chart and was award a platinum sales award for selling in excess of 1 million copies in the U.S. alone.
Today in rock history: on this date in 1965, The Who released its very first single in their native England, "I Can't Explain." The song was the very first record released under the band's new name after being known instead as The High Numbers. The high energy rocker put the band on the map and spoke to a sect of kids in England which was actively part of the Mod movement at the time. The single featured rhythm guitar work from a popular session musician Jimmy Page who'd soon be part of blues-rock band The Yardbirds and then would rise to international fame with Led Zeppelin. The song made it to No. 8 on British singles charts and became the first of many hits the band would enjoy all around the world.
This article appears in Jan 11-18, 2018.